Microplastic pollution in the ocean is a growing issue of concern in the environmental movement. But did you know microplastic pollution can come from washing your clothes? In this post I’m talking all about microfibers, microplastics, and what you can do to reduce the impact of your clothing on the planet and on our oceans.
this post contains affiliate links
What is the issue?
While your clothes may not look the same as plastic water bottles, synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, nylon, and spandex are actually made from plastic. 60% of clothing globally is made from manmade synthetic textiles and it’s estimated that by 2030 75% of textiles will be synthetic.
I have long been a fan of materials made from recycled polyester (like leggings and swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles or fishing nets) and for many brands and consumers these recycled materials are a simple way to be more sustainable. While recycled petroleum-based materials are a better choice than new petroleum-based materials, there are hidden environmental impacts from these recycled materials, too.
Microfibers are released every time clothing is washed. It has been found that up to 700,000 microfibers from clothing can be released in a single load of laundry. Washing machine filters are not built to trap fibers that small, and filters in most wastewater treatment centers are also unable to trap fibers that small, so these microfibers make their way into rivers or the sea with the rest of the treated water. If an item of clothing is made of a synthetic material, though, those microfibers are plastic. It’s estimated that 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic textiles.
The impacts of microplastics are being researched more and more as microplastic pollution continues to become a major environmental concern. While reading scientific reports can be difficult to comprehend, a few things are clear: microplastics absorb toxins in the ocean, microplastics are eaten by fish and other ocean animals, and those animals (and microplastics) make their way up the food chain to us.
Where To Learn More
I’m not an expert on this subject (yet) so if you’re looking to dive in deeper I pulled together some additional resources about microfiber shedding and microplastic pollution:
- A Plastic Ocean Documentary (available on Netflix)
- OceanCleanWash.org
- “More than ever, our clothes are made of plastic. Just washing them can pollute the oceans.” – Vox
- “Why Are Synthetic Fabrics So Popular—And What Can We Do To Move Away From Them?” – The Good Trade
- “Fight against plastic pollution targets a hidden source: Our clothes” – NBC
- “What are microfibers and why are our clothes polluting the oceans?” – Greenpeace
- Sustainability: Microplastics 101 with Madeleine Wallace IGTV from Mate The Label
What can you do about microplastic pollution?
Buy LESS synthetic clothing! The 3 R’s of Sustainability (reduce, reuse, recycle) should be followed in that order. So the first and best thing to do is reduce the amount of synthetic clothing you purchase. Opt for natural materials like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool instead. Keep reading for a list of my favorite clothing brands with natural materials.
Only machine wash your clothes when you need to. Machine washing is what releases the most microfibers from clothing, so spot clean and hand wash your synthetic items whenever possible.
Wash your clothes in a way that preserves their fibers. Full loads of laundry create less friction between the clothes, causing fewer fibers to be released. Hot water can be abrasive to materials, so whenever possible wash your clothes in gentle cold cycles to keep your fabrics strong. Tumble drying can make clothes more fragile, which can increase microfiber shedding the next time it is washed, so air dry your clothes on a clothes line or drying rack.
Use efficient washing machines. Top loading washing machines release seven times as many microfibers as front loading washing machines. Top-loaders also use much more water.
Use microfiber filters. Girlfriend Collective has a microfiber filter that can attach directly to washing machines, which is a great option if you have a washing machine in your home or apartment unit. If you live in a space with shared laundry or go to a laundromat, Guppyfriend Wash Bags & Cora Balls are good alternatives.
Avoid microplastic pollution with clothes made from natural materials from these sustainable brands:
- CHNGE – Graphic tees made from 100% organic cotton (XXS-XXL)
- Mate The Label – Basics and loungewear made from organic and natural materials. See their full fabric portfolio here. Get 20% off your order with 20Megan (XS-XL, extended sizes coming soon)
- Pact – Mens and womens basics and underwear made from Fair Trade organic cotton. Pact does have some blended materials, so make sure you check out their 100% cotton collection here (XS-XL)
- For Days – Basics made from organic cotton and recycled cotton. For Days is a circular business (XS-XXL)
- Kotn – Mens and womens clothing made from cotton. See their full fabric portfolio here (XS-XXL)
- Aliya Wanek – Clothing made from all natural materials such as hemp and cotton. Aliya Wanek is a Black-owned business (S-2X)
- Beaton Linen – Season-less clothing made from linen and some 100% cotton denim products (XS-3X)
- Subset – Fair trade organic cotton underwear. Get 10% off your order with ACTEEVISM10. (2XS-4XL)
- ARQ – Underwear, bras, and tank tops made from GOTS certified organic cotton (XS-3X)